"Oh honey," Renee my mother, grimaced "Absolutely not."

"But mom-"

"Please, Renee, just let Bella go out just this one time!"

"To you right now, it's Ms. Swan." said Renee "And I will not have my daughter go to some party at the beach. Who knows what type of trouble goes on out there."

"We'll be fine. I've gone before and it's really nice and we'll only be out for a couple of hours," begged Rosalie.

"My word is final," Renee said sternly "It's best if you leave now, Ms. Hale."

Rosalie's sad eyes reflected mine before she huffed and walked away. I walked with her "See, I told you. Maybe when I'm 18 I'll get more freedom."

Rosalie glanced at my mother and back to me "Or she'll just control you for the rest of your life."

"My life isn't that bad," I told her "I still go to parties."

"Yeah, but they're red carpets and special events. Fancy parties with fancy people just there to talk about how great their career is! Never anything like this, like a drum circle. Besides, you have your whole life to go to those events, but right now, your teenage years are ticking."Rose gave me a strong hug before leaving out the mahogany grand doors.

Renee pasted me to lock the doors. She turned around and enjoyed a sip of her fine wine while I furrowed my brows at her "Did you ever go to drum circles when you were my age?" I asked

"Who I was at 17 was different than who you are at 17," she told me "You, Isabella Swan, are making history. You're a huge superstar. The whole world loves you. Think of the children who look up to you. It's your responsibility to be a role model and keep your life under control."

I sighed thinking of my fans.

Renee, my mother, put her hands on my shoulder "I'm just trying to protect you, love. I know I might seem harsh but it's for your own good. This town is full of greedy, corrupt people who would love nothing more than to tear you down. Or worse, get you hooked on drugs. A lot of celebrities fall down this path. But that won't be you." Her brown eyes, identical to mine, shimmered "I know I seem hard but one day when you look back at how much you got done at your age, you'll thank me for keeping you safe and in line."

My mother gave me a soft hug before breaking away and rubbing my cheek "You're beautiful, Isabella. Go get some beauty rest because we have a meeting tomorrow and a photoshoot to attend to."

I walked up the stairs with a devil and an angel on my shoulder. I just don't know whose voice belongs to the angel and who was the devil.

In my room, my mother's comforting words did not bring me comfort. I understand the importance of my career, but I would like to go out and be normal, for once. Rosalie was right, I do have my whole life to do these types of events. But right now, I'm 17 years old and my schedule is booked every day, all day long!

My body just craves freedom.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Rose. "I'm in," I told her. "Pick me up in an hour?"

I dressed quickly in a black hoodie and shorts. I kept my makeup dark. I used pillows to make a body under the bed and placed an old America Girl down underneath the sheets, just to get the hair to splash over my pillow.

I felt like a princess escaping her castle when I hoped out my window and onto a neighboring tree. It was luck that kept me from falling. I only hoped my mother couldn't hear my heartbeat or my tumbled fall. Roses car was parked just over our brick fence. I used another tree to climb over that and boom!

I was out.

I could hear the drums as soon as I got out of the car.

The city looked more magical at night with the orange street lights. Dark figures of teenagers walked past us laughing and drinking.

"This is so exciting," I told Rose

"I'm so happy you're here," smiled my best friend. She wrapped her arms around me "I'm sure Jacob would be so jealous."

"Whatever, it's not about him. It's about me." My hands were stuffed in my black hoodie. I put the hood up, soaking in this thrilled feeling as I blended in with the rest of society. Sneaking out of my home to go to a party. Oh yeah, now I felt like a teenager.

This was gonna be a night I'll always remember.

~*~*~ Ms. Perfect ~*~*~

Even though he was crummy looking, jealously soaked my bones as all of this stranger's eye contact went to Rosalie. She wasn't into him. He's not her type. But she still giggled at his California stories.

Being invisible wasn't as peaceful as I thought. I still yearned for the attention.

I pushed my hood back and played with my hair.

I looked around at all the teenagers like me, laugh with ease. Some danced to the beating drums. There were girls in short crop tops and hippy skirts with their long messy blonde hair swinging around. I stared at those group of girls. Oh, how I wondered what it would be like to be them. What troubled these girls, I had no idea. I lived in another world than them yet in the same city.

"You smoke?" a boy in a yellow sleeveless shirt asked me.

"No, I don't," I said. That was a lie though. I did smoke when Lauren offered. I just refused to get high in public. I was already on edge enough.

"Bummer. You ever tried it?" His green stoned eyes looked lazily at mine.

"It's not my thing," I replied timidly.

"I smoke," Rosalie interjected and grabbed the joint from his hands.

"Never met a California girl who doesn't smoke." Said the dude next to me.

I scoffed "Not true, that's just a stereotype."

The boy acknowledged me with his eyes before looking on over to Rosalie "Just keep passing it."

My mouth set in a line. Annoyance burned in my body but I refused to allow it to ruin my night. I was finally out. The laughter swirled around me and so did the urge to go by the water. I told Rosalie I'll be back to catch some air. I walked along the warm, soft sand. I had taken my sandals off.

The moon had already risen significantly. It's glow blessed the beach with light. The ocean reflected the otherwordly moon. What a beautiful sight. The freedom I felt staring across the endless sea was one I'll never forget. I opened my airs, collecting as much freedom as I can.

I was smiling, smelling the ocean breeze. I glanced back at the drum circle light. More people were arriving, carrying blankets and guitars. A girl with a rainbow glowing hula hoop was twirling in the background. I was in awe at the sight of normalcy. Mystery was also in the wind.

I walked back to the circle to see that Rosalie had moved and was sitting on a blanket next to a big guy. Then, by chance, the drum circle fire highlighted a man. His face was so recognizable even in the orange light. Edward was here.

My heart caught.

Then it started beating like the drum.

He managed to look up at that moment and once again his eyes found mine.

The pull towards each other was strong. Too strong. Time could have passed for eternity as our stares hummed in attraction. It was his blonde, shaggy-haired friend that patted his shoulder that broke the gaze and freed me.

I pulled my heart off my sleeve, remembering Jacob. My career. Then went to go sit by Rosalie. She greeted me but it was clear she was taken by the guy she was sitting with.

"Hey, my name is Royce. Royce King." He shook my hand firmly. "Maybe you've heard of me, I played a role in the Percy Jackson film that just came out."

"Sorry, no I hadn't heard," I told him with a strained smile. Something about him gave me a weird vibe.

"And this is Isabella Swan. She plays the lead role in the TV show Twilight," bragged Rosalie.

Royce's eyes lit up like the bonfire "Lead role, huh? Wow! It's too bad I haven't heard of that show."

"It's a kids show," I shrug it off. Rosalie and I gave a small, knowing smile. It was more than just a kids show, it was the hottest kid show right now of the entire globe.

"Still cool." Royce turned to Rosalie and asked, "You an actress, too?"

Rosalie brushed her hair back "No, I'm a singer."

"An amazing one," I added, "Her youtube channel is just about to reach a million."

That sparked a typical Hollywood chatter about numbers, fans, and dreams. Rosalie said with wonder "I never expected my channel to get so big. I was just singing for fun on the piano. Now I'm selling out venues. It's a dream come true. Isn't Hollywood just magical?"

My eyes shifted back to Edwards "It is."

"It's easy for you to say. You guys are beautiful women. You have it easy. Men like me have to work extra hard to get that spotlight. We don't have huge tits and makeup to back us up." grumbled Royce.

And there's that bitter sexist attitude that men in this town carry.

"Well, you're not gonna make it with that attitude," snapped Rose.

"It's fucking true though!" Royce exclaimed "You beautiful women just have to sleep with directors to get good roles. What position those that put us, men?"

Unbelievable. Disgust rolled in my stomach. Rosalie was the one who spoke up "I don't know what women you're talking about but I didn't have to sleep with anyone to make it where I am. I put in so much dedication and passion in my work. Same with Bella here!"

"Ugh, right." snapped Royce

"Come on, Bella." Rosalie stood up and wiped the sand off her shorts.

Royce stood up with me and grabbed Rose's hand "Hey, wait, I'm sorry."

Rose is a pretty girl but she can stand her ground against anyone. She snatched her hand back "No. Get lost, loser." She stomped away and I followed her blonde flowing hair.

"Loser?!" We heard Royce say. Not a moment passes before he's right by us again "You don't know who you're talking to. Hold up!" He started listing his achievements as if that'll help him.

He kept trying to grab Rose's hand. Throwing all sorts of apologizes and sexist remarks all rolled into one.

"You're making a show. You're crazy!" Rosalie grabbed my hand tighter. People were definitely looking at us now. Both our hands were shaking with anger.

"You're crazy!" Royce said louder "What is your problem?! How can you just act like that and think you can get away with it just because you're so pretty!"

Rosalie turned around now. I've never seen her so angry "What is your problem, psychopath! Leave us alone already!"

"Hey!" A large figure intercepts in front us of. I recognized the hair immediately. Edward! "Chill out. What's going on here?"

Both Rosalie and Royce hurled accusations at each other.

Edward managed to calm them down "Come with me," he grabbed Royce's shoulder and pulled him away. Royce's eyes were trained at Rosalie with scary intensity. It gave me chills. "Come on!" Edward nudged him away. He made brief eye contact with me and I mouthed 'thank you'

Rosalie and I walked quickly away. Rosalie was heavy with anger "What a crazy ass dude!"

"Let's just leave Rose," I told her weakly. I was scared. There were too many eyes on us.

That sparked something in her. Rosalie stopped walking. "No, no wait, this isn't how I wanted tonight to go."

"Rose," I whined. "It's ok, we'll do this another time."

"Right sure like you're gonna wanna come out again after this," sighed Rose "Let's just go by the water for a moment."

I sighed now. I couldn't say no to that.

Being by the moonlight waters again calmed us both down. The warm salty water coaxed our feet. I wanted to leave but I knew I had to wait for the right time to voice that. "Besides that mess, tonight was pretty cool," I told her.

Rosalie smiled "Yeah, bonfires are one of the best things in this city. The people here are usually cool. There's live music. The beach. The moonlight."

"It's very beautiful." I agreed.

Suddenly, my phone was ringing. The name Mom flashed on my phone.

"Oh no!" I cried.

"What?!"

I showed Rose my phone.

"Oh no," Her eyes widened.

"I'm screwed!" I started pacing "We have to go back now! Ugh, I'm so grounded." I could already hear the lecture now.

"What is she gonna take away?" scoffed Rose "You're already basically grounded. Your life is like a prison. A fabulous prison, of course. We might as well stay and enjoy the rest of the night."

I groaned with frustration... because she was right. "I can't enjoy anything with this stress!"

My phone started ringing again.

"Don't pick up." Rosalie sensed my instincts. "Just give me." She grabbed my phone, silenced it, and placed it in her mini white Adidas backpack. "30 more minutes, ok? Let's just go have fun so you can leave here with some good memories."

I bit my lip "Fine, ok. 30 more minutes."

We walked back to the party with my blood racing. Just have fun. Fuck it, you're already in trouble. Be normal for once.

Rose glanced at her phone. "Some of my friends are here, let's join them," Rose called her friend to get their location. I used that time to calm my nerves. I glanced around at the crowd around me. No danger right now. No-

"Oh my god!" Cheers whooped as a beautiful dark-skinned girl with a glittery Hawaiian skirt made her way into the circle. A crowd surrounded whatever celebrity just joined the party.

"Who's ready to party!" the girl cheered and hung out with the crowd. It was interesting to see someone of high status like myself embracing the attention. Usually most other actresses I meet hide away from the crowd, including myself.

I had my hair in a ponytail, eyes cast down. Luckily the night sky helped with my cover. I liked it this way.

"Hey!" Rosalie embraced her friends. It was a pair of girls with pastel tank tops and shorts.

"Hi, you're Isabella Swan, right?" one of her friends asked.

"Yeah," I smiled warmly.

"My little sister loves your show. It's cute you act for kids." Her other friend snickered. "I'm Victoria. Victoria Elaine." she shook my hand "I just got casted for the lead female role in Spiderman."

"Oh, wow, that's amazing," I told her. I hated this inferior feeling I was getting. I yearned for big picture roles now. To see my name on the big screen. While I do still love acting for childrens TV, I wanted more.

"Yeah, I know! My first big break." She flashed a perfect smile.

"Don't forget me when you get big," said Rosalie

"I'll try," laughed Victoria. The rest of us also laughed, but there was this feeling of arrogance she pushed out. I was already not liking the vibe of this group.

We found a spot a bit away from the crowd dancing to the drums and closer to watch the fire dancers do their thing. Victoria pulled out a few bottles of wine for us to drink as we talked for a while.

The conversation was focused on the gossip of Hollywood. The latest celebrity news, fashion before landing on the topic of diets. Victoria went on and on about the incredible juicing diet she was on to fit the tight clothes in her new role. It was impressive how long she could talk about it, really.

My eyes found Edward a while ago.

Occasionally I would glance at him to see him talk to friends, drink some beer, and even played the guitar when it was passed to him. I wanted to go up to him to thank him for saving us from the crazy Royce guy. I thought I would get to do it on the set on Monday, but when I saw him walk towards the sea by himself, I figured I'd save myself from hearing the word 'juice' again and go join him.

"I'll be back," I told Rose.

"Oh, ok. Where are you going?"

"To go thank my friend for saving us earlier."

"Give him an extra thanks for me!" said Rose. She glanced at him, before looking at me with a little knowing smirk. "Here, take your phone back." She handed me back my phone before turning to the girls to recount our adventure from earlier in the night.

The wine eased my nerves. I felt looser. As loose as the white sand I was walking on. I could see what Rosalie meant by the drum circle is one of the best things in the city. The setting and energy from the night were contagious.

I was stepping on his shadow. A good amount of Edward's calves were already in the water "Hey, there, superhero."

He turned around."Oh, hey it's you. Surprise to see you out here."

"That makes two of us." I chuckled "I just wanted to say thanks. For you know, saving us from that whacko."

"You don't even have to thank me." He ran a hand through his beautiful hair. No, Bella not it's beautiful, it's just hair! "Man, I don't understand how guys get like that. He was really into your friend but messed that up."

"Big time," I rolled my eyes.

A beat passed that colored my cheeks. I was suddenly feeling awkward. I realize that on set, in my usual terrain, I can feel confident but in the real world, I felt nervous. "So you come to these often?"

"Oh, yeah. I love drum circles." He told me as he walked closer to me. "How about you?"

There was that humming again. The tension between us magnifying with proximity. He looked dazzling under the moon. "Not usually. But I'm just trying something new."

"You came to the right place." Edward smiled. I wondered how could he do that? Look so casual but so sensual at the same time. "You're looking good tonight."

My heart squeezed. "Oh god, please, you've seen me dressed up. This," I looked down at my basic jean shorts and black sweater "isn't anything special."

"Well, maybe you just manage to make everything look good." He shrugged then I saw his face tighten at his direct flirting. "Ah-uh, you know what I mean," he stuttered

The tension turned electrifying. I swear I was seeing flashes sparkle in the sky. Man if I wasn't with Jacob...

Buzz

Speaking of electricity.

I glanced at my phone to read a text from my mom

I hope you're not doing anything bad. Bcuz the paparazzi are always watching... -Renee

My stomach dropped.

I turned around to see that the flashes I saw earlier weren't some hormone-induced magic but they were actually a gang of paparazzi. Hooded men and women were on the prowl snapping photos of the scene.

As if they sensed me, a camera snapped towards me. "Isabella! Isabella Swan! Look here!"

AN: Oh boy, the story is about to get interesting. Get ready for this rollercoaster and click FOLLOW to get the latest updates from your favorite actress, Isabella Swan.

I know some of you are wondering were the rest of the gang is, but trust me, I have very special roles for them coming up soon. This story is not a typical fanfiction.